Hi all, new member looking to start and build a luxury watch collection. What would you recommend a 24 y/o start with? Budget caps at $10k. Is this enough or do I need to taper expectations? For context, only watches I own are from the style brand MVMT. Apologies as I anticipate this question may have been asked before. Please be kind, I know next to nothing about watches but trying to get knowledgeable.

I watched an interesting video the other day about a guy talking about his watch journey. He made a relevant point about how you can’t appreciate the feel of say a 3k or 5k watch if you hadn’t worn starter watches etc prior. I’m 25 - My first watch was a Seiko prospex and I got a tag aquaracer last year and bought a Tudor this year and really notice the difference. Personally think it’s a good idea to start a bit lower for your first watch especially if you’re looking to build out a collection. Your tastes will likely change over time as well and perhaps quite drastically so I would personally be wary of jumping right into the deep end, but you do what feels right for you

It's incredibly easy to snowball watch collections. Spoiler alert, I started with 2 timepieces ...went to nearly 45-50... And have been actively liquidating to get down to a more reasonable 6-8 that I will rotate. With that being said, if you choose to buy is recommend two specific thoughts:

1) Ensure you are buying a watch you want to actively wear and not just because it fits your budget. I've purchased so many timepieces in the 500-2k range because it was more "affordable" and I rarely wore those timepieces more than a dozen times in the years I've owned them. I would rather spend slightly more and get exactly what I want, which will get usage, than slowly transition and build through many intermediate timepieces.

2) Most that get into watch collection eventually get into watch selling. If you wrap your head around purchasing timepieces that will appreciate in value or at least get you your money back that will be an expensive lesson to learn. While there are timepieces that can appreciate or hold value (high end independents, some Rolex and Pateks), most won't so buying a timepiece thinking it will make you money is usually not the best reason to warrant purchase (unless you are buying at a liquidation sale for an exceptional price).

Good luck in collecting, enjoy the beautiful mechanism of mechanical watches, and ask yourself the two questions above prior to a purchase to ensure you really want a time piece.

BB58 & a snowflake. Watch for every occasion

I’d look into brands like JLC, Omega, IWC, maybe even Grand Seiko. I’m not the biggest fan of getting a Rolex right off the bat but to each their own.

Start with a Cartier Tank or Santos

I don’t think your should spend the full $10K on your first luxury watch. Get an Omega Seamaster/IWC Pilot and wear it for a few months to get used to the idea of wearing a watch - you’ll be banging it against many things for a while. Those $10K can get you something special later.

Nomos wouldn’t be a bad place to explore if you like the look of your MVMT. Good value. You’d have plenty of that 10k left over to get another watch like a Tudor as well.

I would highly emphasize you don’t blow that budget quite yet. You yourself said you know next to nothing about them, so why go spend an extraordinary amount (esp for a 24 year old) on one. Get started to something under $1k (Tissot/Hamilton) or at max under $3-4k (Tudor/Tag/Oris)to see if you’re even interested enough to continue spending on it. Getting a Rollie before you develop an appreciation will feel pretty shallow imo.

You get a fluted bezel Date-just 41 for 10k. You can also look into omega and panerai. For 10k you can easily get a watch from each.

To start off at 24 - similar what I did around 25/26 would be to start with couple pre owned. Perhaps a Tag you like an IWC and if you can get hang of a Rolex jump on it. Then you have a collection of 3 and can sell / trade and acquire others as your taste will change over the years.

Piling on to the notion of not dropping your budget cap on your first watch. I bought my first “serious” watch at 28, it was a $2500 Montblanc. Since then I’ve gotten a better idea for what I like and appreciate, and have been able to pick up a couple of higher-end pieces (granted, still love the Montblanc)

God big, or go home. If you have this budget, don’t spread it across several more reasonable watches. You’ll regret it. You’re also not in the business of selling and trading. It’ll be a pain. Just buy the watch you love the most in your price range. Personally, great budget for a nice Rolex. Special for sure. You’ll always admire it and think of it as your first. It’ll never get old. It stands out. Get a nice DJ41 - you can have it for life. Classy. Sporty. All at once. Go for it! Or any other… but don’t do the: Oh let’s buy 3 cheaper ones if there’s a more expensive one you can afford and love!

Great advice overall, also make a list of brands and models you like, find the local ADs and go try them all on and see which is ones go well for your wrist..

Start small, but not cheap.. but your itch for that special watch will always be there until you splurge on it 🙂

I’d first get a nice seiko for 200-500, and see how you like the jump going from a mvmt to that.

Easiest luxury answer is to get a Rolex, under 10 you can likely get a datejust, Oyster perpetual, or maybe an explorer, GMT or submariner used.

I started off with a snow flake last year when I was 24

My advice is simple - save a little more and get a memorable, meaningful, amazing watch you will remember. Don’t be in a hurry to spend. Patience will pay in multiples.
Sounds like you like the Rolex DateJust. Look into them a little more and zero in on what you really reall y want. Then pull the trigger.

PS: I saw a man wearing what I believe to be a Rolex Datejust yesterday, and really liked the style. Im partial to similar brands with that type of finish. Lastly, my father liked/wore Piaget watches about 20 years ago. Are they currently in style?

I’m about the same age, huge watch guy also. Big fans of the Rolex GMTs (Batman/hulk) Would have to expand price range a little maybe up to 15k but so worth it. I think it’s a great starter/staple piece that you can wear for a long time.